By Rebecca Bretana on July 6, 2010
Half Acre Brewery, located in North Center, is quite the departure from the restaurant-brewery hybrids that have been popping up all over the Chicagoland area. Don’t come hungry, and don’t expect pints of their delicious brew. Instead, if you’re coming for their free Saturday tours, anticipate a good hour of hardcore brew talk with one of the owners. Beer sampling, of course, is also provided (free of charge) and is served in pitchers. While tour-goers sip out of small plastic cups, they are free to look around the converted building that began its life about 100 years ago as a dry goods store.
This small-time brewery is making a name for itself all over the city with mainstays like Daisy Cutter, Over Ale and Gossamer. Each beer is pleasantly delightful in its own way and palatable for most novice beer drinkers. Their beers, however, have a complexity most seasoned drinkers would enjoy analyzing. For those into strong specialty beer, keep an eye out for Ginger Twin, Double Daisy Cutter and Big Hugs. Also, and this is pretty awesome, Half Acre is teeming up with Shorts and Piece to make a Ween-inspired brew called Freedom of ’78. This IPA is infused with 1000 pounds of guava. We’ll see what comes of this interesting concoction!
If you’re really interested in how they make their amazing beer, sign up for their free 1 p.m. Saturday beer tours. Spots for the tour fill up quickly, so be sure to register in advance at their website. For those near the brewery on other days, check out their shop and tasting area. Buy Half-Acre gear and sample their beer or guest beer. The people working in the shop are super friendly, knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions you may have about what they do.
You can find Half Acre beer at most liquor retailers, bars, and restaurants in and around Chicago. Their distribution radius is small but in high demand. Expect great things from this brewery in the future!
Half Acre Brewery & Craft Beer Emporium
Hours:
Closed Mondays
Tues – Fri: 12 – 8pm
Saturdays: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 12 – 5pm
Tour Saturday 1 p.m. Email info@halfacrebeer.com to sign up.
Like Half Acre’s beer? Been to a tour? Share your experience in the comments section below!
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2 comments
Katie D. says:
Jul 7, 2010
Cool! It’d be a fun way to start out a bachelor party (or, let’s face it, any Saturday night!).
Katie D. says:
Jul 7, 2010
Cool! It'd be a fun way to start out a bachelor party (or, let's face it, any Saturday night!).
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